Learning and Technology

Edina Public Schools believes technology is both a tool and a catalyst for excellence in education. We aim to: unleash students’ passion to be lifelong learners; empower and enhance excellent teaching; engage families in a partnership for education; and provide superior service, operation, and productivity.

Providing students with early opportunities to learn proper use and etiquette surrounding technology in parallel with their classroom experience better prepares our students for their future.

Edina Public Schools uses a variety of tools and resources to support Digital Age Learning. Many of these are accessed via our Edina Portal. K-1 students are assigned individual iPads in their classrooms to support learning. 2-5th grade students use chromebooks in classroom carts. 6-8th grade students begin to take home district provided chromebooks. Edina High School students participate in a unique Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. Students can elect to check out a district provided chromebook or bring their own device. 

• K-2 Students and teachers use Seesaw to show and communicate learning. Information about connecting to the classroom Seesaw will be shared by classroom teachers. 
• 3rd - 12th grade teachers use Schoology provide access and structure to learning resources. Parents can log in to Schoology to view assignments and student grades from the Parent Portal.
• The district purchases and/or supports the tools on this site at the appropriate age level, student privacy information is included with each tool. 

Students in grades K-1 work on iPads as part of their classroom learning. Teachers work with students to assist with understanding how and why the devices are used at school.

Students in grades 2-5: each student is assigned a district-provided Chromebook. Teachers work with students to understand how to use the device to learn and collaborate. Chromebooks are managed by the district and are only accessible using an Edina provided account. The district provides tools for teachers to monitor student work on these devices. Student browsing history is retained and available for parents and staff to review.

Students in grades 6-12 utilize devices (personal or district owned) at teacher discretion. Content is accessed via Schoology. Students use Edina Apps to create and collaborate. Students are able to complete and turn in assignments electronically. Digital Citizenship lessons are included in Advisory Curriculum and Middle School Skills courses. Edina High School media staff provides large group instruction and collaborates with student leadership to reinforce Digital Citizenship topics.

Edina Public Schools is currently Common Sense certified.

Technology provides students with a world of online resources and learning experiences. Parents/guardians must provide approval for their child(ren) to access internet resources at school, and students must agree to follow the district's Acceptable Use Policy (District Policy 524).

According to the policy, "routine maintenance and monitoring of electronic technologies, including the district network, may lead to a discovery that a user had violated this policy, another school district policy, or the law." In addition, the district may find technology use that raises concern about a student's mental health or well-being. If such discoveries are made, the district may deem it necessary to notify parents and/or school administration of their findings.

Edina Public Schools filters and monitors student use of technology according to CIPA, FERPA, and COPPA using a variety of tools including, but not limited to:

• LightSpeed Filter: filtering on Edina provided accounts at both school and home.
• FortiNet: filtering all devices connected to Edina networks at school.
• Google Admin Console: policies are applied to users, groups, and devices.
• iPad Screen Time Controls: and more information about district-provided iPads.